Self-reported Executive Functioning Research Articles

Executive function capacity links future thinking and exercise intent

Objective Environmental barriers limit exercise in adolescents, but the contribution of cognitive barriers are not as well characterized. Previous findings suggest future thinking may predict exercise intent, which has been linked to health and actual exercise. However, these models may be incomplete as they do not systematically incorporate potential cognitive contributions (e.g., executive function capacity) to exercise intent. This study investigated the possible mediating role of executive function capacity in the relation between future thinking and exercise intent. Methods Data for the mediation models was collected from 101 adolescents aged 11–17 (M = 13.09) in a summer enrichment program. Adolescent participants completed self-report measures including Consideration of Future Consequences Scale (CFCS), Intent to Exercise, and Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function, Second Edition (BRIEF-2). Results This study found that self-reported executive function capacity mediated the relation between future thinking and exercise intent even when controlling for age and subjective socioeconomic status. Conclusions While some exercise interventions aim to increase future thinking, this study provides support for additional research into how interventions may benefit from targeting executive function capacity directly to increase exercise intent and actual exercise.

Neurocognition of females with substance use disorder and comorbid personality disorder: Divergence in subjective and objective cognition

At least one in four patients with substance use disorder (SUD) meet criteria for personality disorder and overlapping neurocognitive deficits may reflect shared neurobiological mechanisms. We studied neurocognition in females attending residential SUD treatment by comparing SUD with (n = 20) or without (n = 30) comorbid personality disorder. Neuropsychological testing included working memory, inhibition, shifting, verbal fluency, design fluency, psychomotor speed, immediate and delayed verbal memory, processing speed, premorbid functioning, cognitive screening, and self-reported executive function. As expected, whole-sample deficits included working memory (d = –.91), self-reported executive function (d = –.87), processing speed (d = –.40), delayed verbal memory recall (d = –.39), premorbid functioning (d = –.51), and cognitive screening performance (d = –.61). Importantly, the comorbid personality disorder group showed greater self-reported executive dysfunction (d = –.67) and poorer shifting performance (d = –.65). However, they also evidenced better working memory (d = .84), immediate (d = .95) and delayed (d = .83) verbal memory, premorbid functioning (d = .90), and cognitive screening performance (d = .77). Overall executive dysfunction deficits were concordant with those observed in previous SUD studies. Surprisingly, comorbid personality disorder was associated with a pattern indicating poorer subjective (self-report) but better objective performance on a number of tasks, apart from shifting deficits that may relate to emotion dysregulation. Subjective emotional dysfunction may influence the cognitive deficits observed in the personality disorder group.

First-Episode Patients Report Cognitive Difficulties in Executive Functioning 1 Year After Initial Episode of Major Depressive Disorder

Objective: Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is associated with cognitive impairment in general, and Executive Functioning (EF) in particular, even in remitted phase of the disorder, suggesting residual cognitive symptoms. The aim of the present study was to investigate self-reported EF 1 year after the first episode of MDD and to explore this in relation to depressive mood symptoms, remission and relapse.Method: The study included data from 24 patients and 23 healthy control subjects 1 year after the patients' initial first episode of MDD. All participants completed the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Functioning-Adult version (BRIEF-A), a standardized self-report measure of perceived EF in everyday life, measuring nine different EF. Total index scores for metacognitive functions, behavior/emotional regulation functions and a global EF score is also calculated.Results: The patient group in total, independent of symptom status, reported significantly lower EF in all indexes compared to the healthy controls 1 year after the initial episode. However, higher depressive mood symptom load correlated with self-reported difficulties in metacognitive functions and poor global EF scores. Regulatory control of behavior and emotional responses did not show such strong association with mood symptoms, but low self-report scores on this measure was associated with relapse during the first year after the initial episode.Conclusion: First-episode patients report significant lower executive functioning in everyday life compared to individually matched healthy controls, 1 year after onset, independent of symptom load. Residual cognitive symptoms seem to be evident and associated with risk of relapse and should be targeted in treatment and prevention of recurrence in MDD.

Self-reported executive function, and not performance-based measures, strongly associates with symptoms of premenstrual syndrome/premenstrual dysphoric disorder

Introduction. Premenstrual syndrome/premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMS/PMDD) may be neuropsychologically understood as impairments of executive functions (EF), since these are related to the regulation of complex behavior and cognition. Objective. To test the utility of self-report of EF versus performance-based measures, for the understanding of PMS/PMDD, and to analyze interactive effects between symptoms of these pathologies and EF on daily-life functionality. Method. Mexican women were recruited through non-probabilistic procedures. The Premenstrual Symptoms Screening Tool (PSST) was used to determine severity of symptoms and functional impairment in daily-life activities, and the Behavioral Rating Inventory of Executive Functions-Adults (BRIEF-A) (short Spanish-translated version) adapted to collect information on EF during luteal versus follicular phases. Performance was evaluated with Stroop, Trail Making Test and Letter-Number Sequencing. Results. A total of 157 were analyzed. Three groups were formed: No diagnosis (n = 78); PMS (n = 67) and PMDD (n = 12). Between-group differences were observed for both BRIEF-A-Luteal and BRIEF-A-Follicular. Bivariate correlations between these measures and the PSST were found, with double the magnitude relative to BRIEF-A-Luteal. Only two indicators of performance-based measures were weakly associated to the PSST. The regression model showed high multicollinearity between self-reported EF and PMS/PMDD symptoms, and no interaction was found. Discussion and conclusion. Self-report probed a better association than based-performance tests for the assessment of EF in PMS/PMDD. EF deficits and PMS/PMDD symptoms, particularly during luteal phase, may be as closely link as to allow for the consideration of these diagnoses as partial forms of dysexecutive syndrome.

Examination of college student health behaviors and self-reported executive functions

Objective: Emerging adulthood is characterized by maturation of executive functions (EF) and changes in health behaviors (HB). Interestingly, EF are bi-directionally related to many specific HB; yet how EF performs in relation to overall patterns of HB engagement is unclear. Groupings of HB and the relationship between these HB groupings and EF were examined. Participants. Full-time college students were recruited from three large Mid- and Southwest universities (N = 1,387). Methods. Online self-report questionnaires assessing demographics, HB, and EF were completed. Results. Latent class analysis of HB revealed three classes: (1) High Substance Use, (2) Moderately Healthy, (3) Healthy. In general, the Healthy class had significantly greater EF compared to no significant differences between the other two classes. Conclusions. Collective engagement in HB is associated with EF. Interventions targeting both HB and EF simultaneously may be most efficacious.

Self-reported executive function mediates the association between obesity and recent suicidality

Abstract
 The study intended to test for mediation effects of self-reported executive function (EF) between obesity and past 30-days suicide-behaviors. A web-based survey was conducted diffusing it to the general Mexican population via social media. Suicide was evaluated with the corresponding module of the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview, and a short form of the Behavioral Rating Inventory of Executive Functions-Adults for EF. Body mass index was computed from the self-reported height/weight. Causal-mediation analyses was performed for each of the suicide variables, including obesity and EF as predictor and mediator, respectively. Data from 1234 participants was analyzed, 274 classified as having obesity. EF partially mediated 20% of the effect of obesity on suicide behaviors. As the BMI progresses to the categories of obesity, EF deficiencies may be insufficient to cope optimally with the emotional and social stressors associated to obesity, thus leading to more frequent or intense suicide ideation, planning or attempts.

Normative and Maladaptive Personality Traits and Self-Reported Executive Functioning.

Research on self-reported executive functioning (EF) and personality has largely focused on normative personality traits. While previous research has demonstrated that maladaptive personality traits are associated with performance-based EF, the literature examining the relationship between these traits and self-reported EF is limited. The current study examined the relationship between multiple domains of self-reported EF (Barkley Deficits in Executive Functioning Scale) and both normative (The International Personality Item Pool-NEO-120 Item [IPIP-120]) and maladaptive (Personality Inventory for DSM-5-Short Form [PID-5-SF]) personality traits in an undergraduate student sample (n = 354). Similar to past research, relationships were largest across EF domains for both measures related to neuroticism (i.e., IPIP-120 neuroticism and PID-5-SF negative affectivity) and conscientiousness (i.e., IPIP-120 conscientiousness and PID-5-SF disinhibition). Normative personality traits generally accounted for greater variance in EF when examined alone and were also generally associated with greater incremental validity when compared with maladaptive personality traits. However, multiple regression analyses indicated that maladaptive personality traits added unique predictive variance above and beyond normative personality traits in their association with multiple domains of EF. These results highlight the utility of assessing both normative and maladaptive personality traits as well as multiple domains of EF to more fully understand the relationship between personality and EF.

Does Cognitive Self-Report Measure Type Differentially Predict Cognitive Decline? A Systematic Review

Up to 47% of older adults without measurable cognitive impairment report difficulties with memory and thinking which potentially increases their risk for developing cognitive decline. Many measures are used for assessing self-reported cognition; however, certain types of these measures may be more predictive of cognitive decline. The purpose of this systematic review was to compare the role of cognitive self-report measure types in predicting risk for cognitive decline. PubMed, CINAHL, and PsycINFO databases were searched using the following inclusion criteria: longitudinal studies, outcome of cognitive decline, and two or more cognitive self-report measures. A total of 4,319 articles were identified during the initial search and narrowed to 19 final articles. The Quality in Prognosis Studies tool was used to determine study quality. Six comparison themes emerged during synthesis: self-reported cognition or memory with or without worry; self-reported global cognition or self-reported memory; self-reported memory decline and self-reported executive function decline; self-reported cognition and self-reported memory by others; self-reported memory and self-reported memory problems in comparison with peers; and self-reported memory and self-reported memory affecting daily function. Self-reported memory decline with worry and self-reported memory problems by others were most predictive of future impairment. It was difficult to definitively determine whether certain cognitive self-report measure types where more predictive of risk for cognitive decline because there were very few articles in some of the comparison groups. Future investigations of self-reported cognition should focus on using measures that have been shown to be the most efficacious at predicting risk for cognitive decline.

Executive Functions and Clinical and Academic Outcomes in Speech-Language Pathology Graduate Students

Purpose The purpose of this study was to investigate executive function measures as they relate to clinical and academic performance outcomes of graduate speech-language pathology students. Method An observational design incorporating correlations and stepwise multiple regressions was used to determine the strength of the relationships between clinical outcomes that occurred at various time points throughout the graduate program (clinical coursework grades throughout the program and case study paper scores at the end of the program), academic outcomes (graduate grade point average and Praxis II exam in speech-language pathology scores), and executive function (EF) scores (EF assessment scores, self-reported EF scores). Participants were 37 students (36 women, M age = 24.1) in a master's degree program in speech-language pathology at a southeastern U.S. university during the 2017–2018 academic year. Results Findings of this preliminary study indicated that a limited number of objective EF scores and self-reported EF scores were related to clinical and academic outcomes of graduate speech-language pathology students. Conclusion As results of this preliminary study suggest that EF tests may be related to clinical and academic outcomes, future research can move to study the potential role of EF measures in the graduate admissions process in clinical graduate programs such as speech-language pathology.

Autism Traits Predict Self-reported Executive Functioning Deficits in Everyday Life and an Aversion to Exercise

Are Autism Quotient (AQ) scores related to executive functioning (EF)? We sampled 200 students of normal intelligence and examined the relationship between AQ scores and: (a) 5 self-ratings of EF, (b) 5 performance-based measures of EF, and (c) 5 types of activities or experiences that are assumed to recruit EF and sometimes enhance EF. Our findings reveal that as AQ scores increase, self-rated EF ability decreases. AQ scores and self-reported EF measures do not correlate with objective EF task performance. Furthermore, AQ scores were shown to be negatively associated with many specific types of physical activity. As AQ scores increase, individuals report fewer positive reasons for exercise and more rationalizations for not engaging in more exercise.

A-042 Incongruence Between Self- and Parent- Report Measures of Executive Function on the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF) in Adolescents with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Abstract Objective Research has demonstrated that adolescents with ADHD show executive dysfunction, although they do not always endorse such difficulties. We investigated inter-rater agreement between parent- and self-reported executive function (EF) in adolescents with ADHD, using the BRIEF. We also sought to investigate the relationship between scores on parent and self-report EF measures with performance on objective EF measures. Method Utilizing a clinical database, we identified 75 participants (13-17 years; Mage = 14.9; 60% male; 27% African American, 63% White, 3% Hispanic, 7% Other) with a diagnosis of ADHD. We examined inter-rater reliability between parent and self-reported factors on the BRIEF. We then examined the association between parent and self-report BRIEF Inhibition scores and the D-KEFS Color Word Interference (CWI) Inhibition trial, and parent and self-report BRIEF Shift scores and the D-KEFS CWI Inhibition/Switching trial and Trails Letter Number Sequencing trial. Results Significant associations were found between parent and self-ratings on BRIEF Inhibition (ICC = .22; 95% CI = -.24-.50), Shift (ICC = .24; 95% CI = -.21-.52), Emotional Control (ICC = .45, 95% CI = .137-.655), Plan/Organize (ICC = -.143; 95% CI = -.81–28), and Working Memory (ICC = -.193; 95% CI = -.89-.25) subscales. Correlation comparisons were significant for BRIEF self-report Inhibition and CWI Inhibition (r(73) = −.405, p = .000) only. Conclusion Results support standing findings regarding poor interrater reliability between parent and self-ratings of daily executive functioning in adolescents with ADHD. Self-report was seen to correlate with performance on objective EF tasks. Clinically, these results highlight the need for multidimensional assessment of ADHD in adolescents.

Too stressed to self-regulate? Associations between stress, self-reported executive function, disinhibited eating, and BMI in women

Stress is associated with obesity. Executive Function (EF), a set of behavioral regulation capacities, may play a mediating role in this relation if lower EF increases disinhibited eating. Participants were 249 women who completed an online survey. We measured stress using Cohen's Perceived Stress Scale, EF using the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF), disinhibited eating using the Three Factor Eating Questionnaire, and self-reported BMI. We used path analysis on this cross-sectional sample of women to test our hypothesis that higher stress is associated with reduced EF, greater disinhibited eating, and higher BMI and tested the indirect effects from stress to disinhibited eating and from stress to BMI. Stress was related to lower EF (β = 0.53 p < .001), lower EF was related to greater disinhibited eating (β = 0.34, p < .001), and disinhibited eating was related to higher BMI (β = 0.37, p < .001). There was an indirect effect of stress on disinhibited eating through EF (β = 0.18, SE = 0.04, p < .001) and an indirect effect of stress on BMI through EF and disinhibited eating (β = 0.07, SE = 0.02, p < .001). Women with higher stress may have higher BMI, in part due to reduced EF and disinhibited eating, suggesting that interventions designed to improve stress management and EF may also improve success with weight control, at least in this population of women.

Association of self-reported executive function and mood with executive function task performance across adult populations

Executive function (EF) impacts behavior associated with health outcomes. EF can be measured using self-report and/or performance measures, but the correlations between these types of measures are mixed in the extant literature. This study examined self-report and performance-based measures of EF using data from 6 studies, including community and clinical populations (410 participants, ages 19–80, 71% female). Partial correlations revealed significant relationships between performance on the Trail making, Delay Discounting, and Stop Signal tasks with self-reported EF (p < .006 after controlling for age). Mood scores were significantly related to all self-reported domains of EF (p < .0001), and mood and EF scores were correlated over time. When also controlling for mood, correlations between delay discounting and stop signal tasks with self-reported EF remained significant (p < .006). Finally, examining EF scores in participants with and without clinically elevated mood scores showed a wider distribution of self-reported EF scores among those with clinically elevated mood symptoms than among those without. We conclude that self-reported EF is associated with tasks measuring delay discounting and response inhibition in our large, heterogenous population and that assessing EF may be particularly important for those with high levels of mood symptoms.

Perceived Executive Functioning among Female Survivors of Intimate Partner Violence

ABSTRACT Current literature demonstrates that female survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV) suffer cognitive impairment. Nonetheless, less is known about how women perceive their cognitive functioning and related factors. The main objective was to assess to what degree abuse severity and mental health are related to perceived cognitive functioning in women who have been exposed to IPV. A group of female IPV survivors (n = 82) were assessed with the Quality of Life Outcomes in Neurological Disorders (Neuro-QOL-EF), Composite Abuse Scale Revised (CASR-SF), the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5), Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7). Findings revealed self-reported impairment in concentration, information processing, and attention. Associations were found between self-reported executive function (EF) and posttraumatic stress, abuse severity, and depression. Further, a model including abuse severity and posttraumatic stress explained up to 20.8% of the variance in perceived EF. Findings indicate that female survivors report a high prevalence of difficulties in the domain of EF. Self-reported impairment in EF may be indicative of higher levels of posttraumatic stress (PTSD) and depression, meriting further assessment and possibly treatment. This study opens the way for the potential use of perceived cognitive functioning screening tools with female survivors.

The Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function®-Adult Version is Related to Emotional Distress, Not Executive Dysfunction, in a Veteran Sample.

In three studies, we explore the impact of response bias, symptom validity, and psychological factors on the self-report form of the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function-Adult Version (BRIEF-A) and the relationship between self-reported executive functioning (EF) and objective performance. Each study pulled from a sample of 123 veterans who were administered a BRIEF-A and Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 (MMPI-2) during a neuropsychological evaluation. Participants were primarily middle-aged, and half carried a mood disorder diagnosis. Study 1 examined group differences in BRIEF-A ratings among valid, invalid, and indeterminate MMPI-2 responders. Analyses were conducted to determine the optimal cut-score for the BRIEF-A Negativity Validity scale. In Study 2, relationships were explored among MMPI-2-RF (restructured form) Restructured Clinical (RC) scales, somatic/cognitive scales, and the BRIEF-A Metacognition Index (MI); hierarchical analyses were performed to predict MI using MMPI-2-RF Demoralization (RCd) and specific RC scales. Study 3 correlated BRIEF-A clinical scales and indices with RCd and an EF composite score from neuropsychological testing. Hierarchical analyses were conducted to predict BRIEF-A clinical scales. Invalid performance on the MMPI-2 resulted in significantly elevated scores on the BRIEF-A compared to those with valid responding. A more stringent cut-score of ≥4 for the BRIEF-A Negativity scale is more effective at identifying invalid symptom reporting. The BRIEF-A MI is most strongly correlated with demoralization. BRIEF-A indices and scales are largely unrelated to objective EF performance. In a veteran sample, responses on the BRIEF-A are most representative of generalized emotional distress and response bias, not actual EF abilities.

Academic Procrastination in Study Habits and Its Relationship with Self-Reported Executive Functions in High School Students

Procrastination is a widespread phenomenon in educational settings. This study aimed to determine the relationship between academic procrastination regarding study habits and self-reported executive functions in high school students. In a sample of 52 students, the following instruments were applied: Academic Procrastination Scale (APS), Study Habits Inventory (SHI), Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF®) and as a control variable, anxiety was measured using the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI). The results indicated that high school students had moderate procrastination scores that were negatively correlated with the SHI scores. A significant correlation was also found between the APS and the scales associated with the Metacognition Index (MI) as measured by BRIEF®. It is concluded that students who procrastinate have difficulty organizing, planning and assimilating school content. The implementation of strategies for study habits in high school students is suggested, which would result in an impact on their metacognition.

Short- and long-term cognitive effects of deep brain stimulation in the caudal zona incerta versus best medical treatment in patients with Parkinson's disease.

A growing number of studies are showing positive effects of deep brain stimulation (DBS) in the caudal zona incerta (cZi) in various tremor disorders, as well as motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease (PD). The focus of the present study was to evaluate short- and long-term cognitive effects of bilateral cZi DBS in patients with PD. Twenty-five nondemented patients with advanced PD were recruited to participate in a randomized trial of cZi DBS versus best medical treatment (BMT). The patients in the BMT group were offered surgery after 6 months. Neuropsychological evaluations focusing on assessing verbal and visuospatial memory, attention, and executive function were conducted at baseline and at 6 and 24 months after surgery. Self-reported measures of depression, anxiety, and change in "frontal" behaviors were also completed at all assessment points. Bilateral cZi DBS in patients with PD generated few adverse cognitive effects. At the short-term follow-up after 6 months, no differences were found between patients randomized to BMT and patients randomized to DBS with regard to most of the cognitive domains assessed. A transient improvement in anxiety was, however, found in the surgical group. At the long-term follow-up 24 months after cZi DBS, no major changes in global cognitive functioning were found, although a decline in attention and self-reported executive function was noted. With the exception of a decline in attention and self-reported executive function, bilateral cZi DBS for PD in appropriately screened patients appears to be generally safe with regard to cognitive function, both in the short- and long-term perspective.

Autism Symptoms, Executive Functioning and Academic Progress in Higher Education Students

Many students with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) attending higher education drop out prematurely. The predictive value of self-reported daily executive functioning (EF) and (cognitive) performance-based EF (mental flexibility and working memory) for academic progress was evaluated in 54 young adults with ASD (Mage = 22.5, SD = 2.4, 72% male). Regression analyses showed that autism symptom severity explained 12% of variance in academic progress, which was raised to 36% by adding self-reported daily EF, and to 25% by adding performance-based EF. It is suggested that EF is a candidate marker for academic progress in higher education students with ASD and a candidate target for early intervention.

Muscle Strength to Mental Strength: Exercise and Age-Related Cognitive Decline

As the population replacement rate exceeds the birth rate, the median age of the population in Western countries increases. With increasing age there is a rise in population disease burden, particularly in mental health. As such, there is considerable interest in the identification of modifiable factors that may protect against cognitive aging. In this study, 71 participants, across three age-balanced groups (young, 18-21; middle-aged, 22-47 years; older adults, 48+) were recruited from the general Australian community to examine the effect of aerobic versus resistance exercise on executive functioning (EF). As hypothesized, older adults evidenced decline in self-reported executive functioning (EF) impairment, and some aspects of mental flexibility. Multivariate Analysis of Variance (MANOVA) revealed that moderate to high aerobic exercise engagement, and moderate resistance exercise engagement may be somewhat beneficial for reducing age-associated performance decrements in mental flexibility. A dissociation of mental flexibility from spatio-temporal tracking performance provides support for a modular decline model of cognitive aging.

Effects of a Brief Mindfulness Curriculum on Self-reported Executive Functioning and Emotion Regulation in Hong Kong Adolescents

Social and emotional skills training is important for adolescents, whose stress vulnerability may be exacerbated during academic and social transitions. The present study investigated whether a mindfulness curriculum was an effective school-based universal SEL program when conducted in regular classrooms. In this controlled trial, we recruited from seventh-grade classrooms in a lowest academic tier Hong Kong public school. One hundred fifteen youth with a mean age of 12.4 years were randomized by class to an adapted version of a mindfulness-based SEL program, Learning to BREATHE (L2B; N = 53), consisting of six 70-min sessions, or instruction as usual (IAU; N = 62) during their religion/social studies class. Pre- to posttest change scores in complete and imputed datasets revealed significant between-group differences favoring the L2B group with (1) medium effect sizes for the executive functioning components of emotional control and self-monitoring; and a small effect size for working memory; (2) a small effect size for the internalizing problem component of anxiety/depression; and (3) a small effect size for the rumination component of brooding. There was a pattern of improvement in the L2B group and deterioration in the IAU group on emotional control, working memory, self-monitoring and anxiety/depression, and more of an increase in brooding among IAU than among L2B participants. The intervention served a primarily preventive function during this year of academic transition, promoting resilience among students who learned mindfulness skills. The findings lend support for the benefits of mindfulness-based training as a multitier model for intervention in educational settings.